Mounting Device For A Flat Screen Display Panel

ABSTRACT

A mount for attaching a flat screen display panel is disclosed in which a wall bracket is attached to a support surface, a panel bracket is secured to a display panel, and the two brackets then cooperate to securely affix the display panel to the support surface while allowing subsequent lateral and pivotal adjustment.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.10/134,567 filed on 26 Apr. 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a mounting device for a flatscreen display panel. More specifically, a mounting device for a flatscreen display panel that allows the display screen to be adjusted bothlaterally and pivotally subsequent to mounting is disclosed.

2. Description of the Related Art

Flat screen displays, such as plasma televisions, thin film transistor(“TFT”) displays and the like, are progressively gaining popularitythroughout the marketplace. As a result, they are regularly showing upin a wide variety of viewing areas ranging from boardrooms to familyrooms.

This recent proliferation has resulted in many different mounts andmounting techniques. There are several different ways to mount a flatpanel display including hanging ceiling supports, floor stands, and wallmounts. Current flat panel displays can be quite heavy, with the weightincreasing as the display size increases.

Many traditional mounts require an installer to first affix the mount toa supporting surface and then subsequently position the heavy displayand align the mounting hardware. This can be a difficult taskappreciating the weight involved in many of today's flat panel displays.

An alternative method requires an installer to first secure the mountinghardware to a support surface and then heft and align the display withthe previously installed hardware. This method requires at least twoinstallers to hold the display and simultaneously align the mountinghardware and secure the display to the mount.

In addition to weight, an additional drawback results from the fact thattoday's flat panel display devices are not consistent in their locationof mounting holes or mounting hardware, and thus, a plurality ofdifferent mounting devices are required to conform to the individualpanel to be mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a mountingdevice for a flat screen display panel that can easily be handled by asingle installer and can conform to a plurality of mountingconfigurations corresponding to different display panels. According toone embodiment, a first mounting plate is secured to a support surface,such as a wall. A first mounting arm is secured to a display panel, andhas a pivotally attached hook configured to engage the first mountingplate. The mounting arm then engages the mounting plate and the displaypanels weight is thereby supported by the mounting plate and mountingarm. The mounting plate and mounting arm cooperate to enable lateralhorizontal adjustment of the display panel after it is secured in itsvertical position, and the pivoting nature of the mounting arm allowsthe display panel to be adjusted in a pivotal direction about ahorizontal axis.

According to another embodiment, a plurality of mounting plates aremounted to a support surface. In one embodiment, a pair of mountingplates are provided, and are disposed vertically from one another. Apair of mounting arms are secured to a display panel, each mounting armhaving a pivotally attached hook portion configured to engage a mountingplate.

The hook portions of the mounting arms are engaged with the uppermounting plate, and a resting portion of each mounting arm is engagedwith the lower mounting plate. The pivotal nature of the hook portionsallows the display panel to be pivotally adjusted about a horizontalaxis. Furthermore, the hook portions and resting portions allow thedisplay panel to be adjusted to a desired horizontal position by slidingthe hook portions and resting portions laterally with respect to themounting plates.

A friction increasing device may be provided to increase the frictionalcontact between the hook portion and the mounting arms to maintain thedesired angular orientation of the hook portion relative to the mountingarms thereby maintaining the display panel in a desired viewingorientation.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodis provided for mounting a display panel comprising attaching a firstmounting plate to a support surface, attaching a second mounting plateto a support surface below the first mounting plate. A first and secondbrace are attached to a display panel and are spaced laterally from oneanother. The braces are then lowered onto the first and second mountingplates thereby engaging the braces with each one of the first and secondmounting plates. The braces may subsequently be locked onto the mountingplates. The display panel may be adjusted laterally along the mountingplates, and the display panel may be pivotally adjusted about ahorizontal axis.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those of skill in the art in view of the detaileddescription of preferred embodiments which follows, when consideredtogether with the attached drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary display panel showing oneembodiment of a display panel mount in phantom.

FIG. 2(a) illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a wallbracket for use with the mounting device disclosed herein.

FIG. 2(b) illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of a wallbracket.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a panelbracket for use in conjunction with the mounting device disclosedherein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of the panel bracket shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevational view of the panel bracket shownin FIG. 3 and depicting one possible mounting hole configuration.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating an alternative embodiment of adisplay bracket according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of the panel bracket of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the panel bracket shown in FIG. 6showing an alternative mounting hole pattern.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view showing one embodiment of a displaybracket having a pivotally attached locking arm.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of an assembled display mount showingthe interrelation of the various components.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a display mount with attacheddisplay according to one embodiment of the present invention showing aminimally pivoted orientation.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a display mount with attacheddisplay according to one embodiment of the present invention showing thedisplay panel maximally angled downward.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a wall bracket.

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another embodiment of a wall bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 11, and 12 there is shown one embodiment of a wallmounting device 20 of the present invention for use in conjunction withthe flat screen display panel 90. It should be noted that the term“wall” as used herein encompasses any substantially vertical surfacesuitable for mounting a display panel thereon, and should not limit theterm to its common meaning.

The embodiments described below enable low-profile mounting devices forthe panel display 90 that are easy to use and greatly facilitatemounting of the panel display to the desired wall position.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b each show different embodiments of a wall bracket 30.Although a single such bracket is shown in each Figure, pairs of suchwall brackets 30 are advantageously used to securely hold a displaypanel. A wall bracket 30 generally has a mounting surface 32 forcontacting the desired surface for mounting the display panel. Themounting surface 32 is preferably bounded on two opposing lateral sidesand a lower side to provide rigidity to resist torsion and bendingstresses. Consequently, lateral flanges 34 and lower flange 36 bound themounting surface 32 on both lateral sides and a lower side respectively.

The extending dimension of each flange 34 away from the mounting surface32 is not critical, although it affects the distance the display panelultimately rests from the wall, and thus, is generally advantageouslyminimized to allow the display panel to rest close to the wall. Theflanges 34 may be integrally formed from the mounting surface 32, suchas by bending, or my be separate pieces attached to the mounting surface32, such as by welding or adhesives.

The mounting surface 32 additionally has mounting grooves 38, oroptionally, mounting holes, formed therein for receiving suitablefasteners for mounting the wall bracket 30 to a wall. Suitable fastenersinclude appropriate bolts, wood screws, hollow wall anchors, and thelike. The type and quantity of fasteners chosen are selected based uponthe size and weight of the display panel to be mounted. Hence, strongeror more numerous fasteners are advantageously used for a heavy displaypanel, while fewer or less robust fasteners are used for a smaller andlighter display panel.

It is preferable that grooves 38 are wide enough to accept a pluralityof different type of fasteners to give the installer a wide latitude inselection of fasteners. Hence, the mounting grooves 38 advantageouslyhave a width within the range of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75inches, and in one exemplary embodiment, have a width of about 0.375inches.

The mounting grooves 38 are also advantageously formed to have a lengthsufficient for allowing subsequent lateral positioning of the wallbracket 30 once it is loosely secured to a wall and before the fastenersare completely tightened. Depending upon the desired latitude ofmovement, the grooves 38 may be short, e.g., 1 inch or substantiallylonger, e.g., 3 inches. However, shorter, e.g., 0.5 inch or longer,e.g., 5 inches, may also be used. In one exemplary embodiment, thegroove's length is 2 inches. Moreover, the grooves 38 are strategicallylocated to allow an installer to drive the mounting fasteners into wallstuds that are generally placed on either 16 inch or 24 inch centers.

Thus, the wall bracket 30 offers an installer the flexibility ofchoosing suitable fasteners, and the exact location of installation orfastener placement is not dictated by the characteristics of the wallmount, but by the installer. It is this flexibility in mounting andsubsequent adjustment that gives the installer of the flat panel displaymount of the present invention the ability to secure the mount in adesired location taking into account to the structure of the wall andsubsequently adjust the wall mount to a desired final mounted location.

The wall bracket 30 is further provided with a mounting rod 40 that isdisplaced away from the surface of the mounting surface 32 toaccommodate a retaining hook (not shown). The rod 40 may be of anysuitable diameter, but in one exemplary embodiment, is 0.5 inches. Therod is secured to the wall bracket 30 at two or more locations toprovide adequate support of the rod 40. These securing locations may beprovided by the opposing lateral flanges 34, or may depend directly fromthe mounting surface 32, or may be a combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the rod 40 is secured to semi-circular cutouts in thelateral flanges 34 dimensioned to correspond to the periphery of the rod40, and by supports 42 attached directly to the mounting surface 32.

Preferably, a plurality of supports 42 are formed in the mountingsurface 32 by lancing two sides of a triangular cutout, and then bendingalong the remaining side to form a protruding support 42 that lies in agenerally vertical plane to provide vertical support to the rod 40. Ofcourse, the supports 42 could be configured in any shape and need not beintegrally attached to the mounting surface 32, but could alternativelybe welded, or otherwise secured into place.

The depicted wall bracket 30 may be formed from a suitable sheet metalsuch as steel. However, the components described herein may bemanufactured out of alternative materials such as other types of metals,plastics, or composites without detracting from the wall bracket'sfunctionality. The sheet metal construction techniques result in a wallbracket that is formed from substantially a single piece of material bybending and subsequently welding the rod 40 into place. In oneembodiment, the mounting surface 32, lateral flanges 34, lower flange36, and protruding supports 42 are all integrally formed from a singlesheet of material that is stamped, folded, and welded to form the finalshape. The wall bracket may subsequently be finished by sanding,polishing, painting, and the like.

Hence, a wall bracket is provided that is simple and economical tomanufacture, provides alternative mounting fastener options, and, inembodiments designed for mounting to a structural wall, offersflexibility in locating the fasteners to allow an installer to securethe wall bracket 30 to structural studs positioned according toapplicable building codes.

In another embodiment, the wall bracket 30 may be extruded through anappropriately shaped die to result in a desired finished shape. Forexample, as an alternative to a rod welded to a wall bracket, a crosssectional shape for a wall bracket 30 may be extruded having an integralshelf, protrusion, or slot that performs the function of the rod 40 bybeing configured to securely receive a portion of a bracket affixed to adisplay panel either directly or indirectly, as will be discussed inmore detail hereinafter. Subsequent to extrusion, the aforementionedmounting slots may be formed for receiving mounting fastenerstherethrough.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a display panel bracket 50 for usein conjunction with one embodiment of a flat panel display mount of thepresent invention. In conjunction with FIGS. 4-8, it is shown that thedisplay panel bracket 50 is generally an L-shaped bracket in crosssection. This enables a mounting leg 52 of the bracket to be secured toa display panel, while the remaining installation leg 60 provides amounting surface for a locking hook (not shown) and to further providerigidity to the panel bracket 50. The mounting leg 52 is configured witha plurality of mounting holes 54 corresponding to various mounting holepatterns found on display panels. Each of the plurality of holes isoptionally coded, such as with a number, to allow an installer to verifythat equivalent holes are being utilized for the installation when morethan one panel bracket 50 is used. Moreover, the coding allows printeddirections to specify which holes should be used for a given displaypanel. Other indicia may be present, such as an arrow 56 showing theorientation of the panel bracket 50 during installation, or additionalalignment cues.

The panel bracket 50 also includes an installation leg 60 configuredwith a boss 62 for receiving a locking hook (not shown) and a hole 64for receiving a fastener for increasing the friction between the lockinghook and installation leg 60. The installation leg 60 further has aconcave recess or receiving hook 66 configured to receive a mounting rod40 that is attached to a wall bracket 30. The assembly will be describedin later detail in relation to FIG. 10. There is a notch 68 formed inthe lower portion of the installation leg 60 and a recess 58 formed inthe upper portion of the installation leg 60 to provide a clearance forassembling the panel bracket 50 to the wall brackets 30. It should beobvious that the mounting hole 54 locations could be relocated toaccompany a variety of display panels. Accordingly, it is preferablethat a plurality of mounting holes 54 are provided on the mounting leg60 of the panel bracket 50 such that a single panel bracket 50 isadaptable to a plurality of different display panels. Hence, FIGS. 6-8illustrate an alternative mounting hole 54 configuration. It shouldfurther be obvious that the illustrated panel bracket shape is not theonly embodiment that provides the functional characteristics ofpracticing the claimed invention, and should therefore, not be construedas limiting, but rather, as illustrative only.

The panel bracket 50 may be formed of any suitable material, such assheet metal, plastics, or composites. In one embodiment, the panelbracket is stamped from a single piece of sheet metal, and then foldedto form the appropriate L-shaped cross section. Either before or afterfolding, the boss 62 may be attached in a suitable manner.

Hence, a panel bracket is provided that has the benefits of beingadaptable to a wide variety of different display panels, is economicalto manufacture, and has the strength characteristics necessary tosecurely support a display panel mounted thereto.

FIG. 9 illustrates a panel bracket 50 having a locking hook 70 pivotallymounted thereto. As described above, the panel bracket 50 has a boss 62formed thereon and preferably is threaded along at least a portionthereof for receiving a washer 78 and nut 76 to pivotally attach thelocking hook 70 to the panel bracket 50. There may optionally be a lockwasher 78 disposed between the nut 76 and the locking hook 70 to providean adjustable tension on the bolt 74 to allow an installer to increaseor decrease the frictional contact between the locking hook 70 and thepanel bracket 50. Preferably, a fastener, such as a bolt, passes througharced groove 72 and threads into a threaded hole 84 formed in theinstallation leg 60. One or more washers, preferably formed of nylon,flank the locking hook 70 to provide a reduced coefficient of frictionbetween the locking hook 70 and panel bracket 50 to allow the lockinghook 70 to pivot about attachment boss 62. The force required to effectpivotal adjustment may be directly varied by the torque applied to thefastener that slidably rides within arced groove 72 formed within thelocking hook 70. Other fastener types, such as rivets, are possible.However, the described attachment is preferable because of the variablefriction as will be discussed in later detail.

The locking hook 70 further includes a threaded hole 80 for receiving alock knob (100 of FIG. 12) and will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter. The locking hook 70 terminates in a hook portion 82configured to engage the rod 40 of the wall bracket 30 to providehanging support to the panel bracket.

In an alternative embodiment, a panel bracket 50 may be configured witha locking hook that terminates in an alternative configurationcorresponding to different embodiments of the wall bracket 30. Forexample, as discussed above, the wall bracket may be formed to have aprotrusion or slot horizontally attached to the wall for receiving aportion of the panel bracket. In an embodiment in which the wall brackethas a receiving slot, the hook portion may be omitted and the lockinghook may terminate in a structure that cooperates with the dimensions ofthe receiving slot to allow a secure coupling of the components. Forexample, the receiving slot may be formed to have a T-shaped crosssection, and the hook portion may end in an insert that is substantiallyT-shaped for tracking within the T-shaped receiving groove of the wallbracket. The groove and insert may optionally be shaped in a dove-tailconfiguration, may be substantially C-shaped, or any other of a widevariety of shapes that provide a slot having an undercut portion tosecurely receive a cooperating structure configured to track within theshaped groove. Of course, the cooperating structures may be located onopposite brackets. For example, the insert maybe located on the wallbracket 30 while the groove may be located on the locking hook. A numberof alternative securing methods that provide for subsequent lateraladjustment are possible as will be apparent to those of skill in theart.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the components are shown in a wall mountedconfiguration absent a display panel. It can be seen how the receivinghooks 66 and locking hooks 70 engage with the first and second rods 40a, 40 b of the wall brackets 30 a, 30 b to provide the necessary supportto an installed display panel. During installation, a first wall bracket30 a is mounted to a wall, preferably directly to the structural studssupporting the wall. A second wall bracket 30 b is then positioned andmounted at a predetermined vertical location relative to the first wallbracket 30 a. The predetermined spacing allows a panel bracket 50 a, 50b to easily and securely fit between the first and second wall brackets30 a, 30 b. The wall brackets may optionally be adjusted laterallybefore tightening their respective fasteners.

A first panel bracket 50 is affixed to a display panel 90, such as withmachine screws, so that the locking hook 70 is toward the top of thedisplay panel. A second panel bracket 50 b may be affixed to the displaypanel 90 spaced a lateral distance from the first panel bracket 50 a.The lateral spacing is usually dictated by the respective mounting holepattern on the back of the display panel provided by the manufacturerthereof. Once the panel brackets 50 a, 50 b are secured to the displaypanel 90, the entire display panel with attached panel brackets 50 a, 50b is lifted until the hook portions 72 of the locking hooks 70 are abovethe first rod 40 a and the receiving hooks 66 are above the second rod40 b. At this time, the display panel with attached panel brackets 30 a,30 b is positioned such that the panel brackets contact the wallbrackets. To effectuate the mounting, the panel installer simply slidesthe brackets 50 down the rods 40 a, 40 b of the wall brackets 30 a, 30b, until the locking hooks 70 engage the first rod 40 a, and thereceiving hooks 66 engage the second rod 40 b. Thus, it is not necessaryto painstakingly align the components and the mounting is easilyaccomplished. Moreover, the installer need not manually support theweight of the display panel while trying to align brackets, fumble withscrews, or drive fasteners.

It can be appreciated that a stable support for a display panel isprovided because the wall brackets support the panel brackets at fourdistinct locations—at each one of the receiving hooks 66 and lockinghooks 70. Thus, there is no tendency for the display panel to wobble forlack of support. Furthermore, the entire installation is simplified andcan be carried out by a single installer.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the flat screen display panel 90 has a frontsurface generally consisting of a frame 92 and a screen 94, and a backsurface including a plurality of mounting holes 96. As discussed above,the panel brackets 50 preferably include a plurality of mounting holeconfigurations to allow a single panel bracket 50 to mount onto a widevariety of display panels 90. It should be apparent to one of ordinaryskill that the display panel could optionally be mounted in a portraitorientation in addition to the landscape orientation illustrated.

Once the display panel is vertically mounted, lateral adjustment ofpanel 90 is very simply accomplished by sliding the panel brackets alongthe wall bracket rods 40. Specifically, each locking hook and eachreceiving hook can be slid in either direction laterally along the rod40. Thus, the panel display is laterally adjustable to the extent thatthe locking hooks 70 and receiving hooks 66 can slide unimpeded alongthe wall bracket rods. Further lateral adjustment is impeded by theouter flanges 34 and the rod supports 42 on the wall bracket 30. illsome embodiments, only a short, e.g., one inch lateral adjustment isprovided whereas in other embodiments, a considerably longer adjustment,e.g., 12 inches of lateral adjustment is provided. It should be notedthat once the display panel is mounted, the display panel mount issubstantially hidden from view, thus resulting in a clean appearance.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a vertically pivoting adjustment range, orpitch adjustment, is illustrated. Because the locking hooks 70 arepivotally connected to the panel brackets 50, the upper section of thepanel mounts 50 can pivot away from the first wall bracket 30 a. Thereceiving hook 66 remains in engaged contact with the lower rod 40 b andprovides a fulcrum about which the panel brackets pivot. The lockinghook 70 pivots about its attachment point 62 and thus allows the upperportion of the display panel to be displaced away from the upper wallbracket 30 a. It should be noted that, when the locking hook 70 isparallel to the panel bracket 50, the arc center of the hook portion 82and the axis of the upper rod 40 a about which the hook is engaged arenot coincident. Hence, in the orientation depicted in FIG. 11 the upperrod 40 a provides almost no support to the weight of the display panel,and the majority of the display panel's weight is carried by the lowerwall bracket 30 b supporting the receiving hook 66. FIG. 11 shows thatthe arc center of the hook portion 82 is substantially above the axis ofthe upper rod 40 a. This characteristic allows the panel bracket topivot respective to the locking hook 70. However, this configurationalso presents limits to the pivotal adjustment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the maximum downward pivot angle a is achieved wheneither the hook portion 82 of locking hook 70 engages the upper rod 40a, or the screw 86 reaches the end of the arced slot 72 in which it istraveling. In either case, it is anticipated that the maximum downwardpivot angle a is within the range of from about 8 degrees to about 15degrees, and in one embodiment, is about 10 degrees.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 the minimum pivot angle is achieved wheneither the panel bracket 50 contacts the upper wall bracket 30 a, or thescrew 86 reaches the end of the arced slot 72 in which it is traveling.In either case, it is anticipated that the minimum pivot angle is aboutparallel with the surface the display panel is mounted to, which in mostcircumstances, will be substantially vertical. However, it should beobvious that the minimum angle could be greater or less than vertical.

The locking hook 70 is pivotally attached at 62 and a cooperatingfriction increasing connection allows the force required to pivot thelocking hook 70 to be adjusted. A bolt or screw 86 passes through thearced groove 72 and threads into a hole formed in the panel bracket 50.There are optionally one or more washers 88 that provide a reducedfrictional contact between the locking hook and panel bracket. Thisallows an installer to loosen the attachment and thus lower the requiredforce to pivot the mounted display panel. The attachment may besubsequently tightened to maintain the display panel in a desiredorientation. Alternatively, the pivotal attachment 62 may be tightenedsufficiently to maintain the display panel in a desired orientation, yetstill permit subsequent pivotal adjustment if a thresh hold forceovercomes the frictional resistance.

It can be seen how the wall bracket 30 and panel bracket 50 cooperate toresult in a low profile mount that allows the flat panel display to restclose to the mounting surface. The distance from the display panel tothe wall is generally within the range of from about ½ inches to about 3inches, and is preferably within the range of from about 1 inch to about2 inches, and in one embodiment, is 1⅝ inches.

Once the panel brackets 50 engage the wall brackets 30, a locking knob100 may be threaded into the threaded hole 80 formed in the locking hook70 to prevent subsequent unintentional dismounting of the panel brackets50 from the wall brackets 30. The locking knob 100, once installed,interferes with removal of the hook 82 from the upper rod 40 a. In otherwords, the distance D1 between the periphery of the locking knob 100 andthe extremity 102 of the hook portion 82 is less than the diameter ofthe upper wall bracket rod 40 a such that the hook portion 82 isinhibited from being disengaged with the rod 40 a.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a wall bracket thatallows a single wall bracket 130 to receive panel brackets (not shown)having a configuration similar to the panel bracket illustrated in FIG.3. The wall bracket 130 is formed as described herein and includes amounting rod 140 for receiving a hook portion of a panel bracket, andfurther includes coaxial mounting holes 150 a and alternative coaxialmounting holes 150 b for holding a second mounting rod (not shown)positioned to engage with a receiving hook of a panel bracket. Mountingholes 150 a and 150 b are formed through the lateral edges 134, andlanced out tabs 152 that are either bent from, or attached to, mountingsurface 132. The alternate locations for the lower mounting rod allow asingle wall bracket 130 to mate with different sized panel brackets. Thepanel brackets are generally sized in relation to a display panel, witha larger panel requiring longer panel brackets to provide adequatemounting support. The selective location of the lower mounting rodsimply allows a single wall bracket to accommodate various sized panelbrackets.

Wall bracket 130 has mounting holes 138 formed therein for mounting thewall bracket 130 to a wall or other support structure. As describedherein, the mounting holes 138 are preferably configured as grooves toallow variable placement of mounting hardware to cooperate with theunderlying structure of the wall the bracket 130 is being secured to.The illustrated mounting hole locations and pattern are illustrative, asthe mounting holes could be configured on 16 inch centers, 24 inchcenters, or both. Additional patterns and number of holes arecontemplated herein.

Wall bracket 130 may further include voids 154 removed from mounting 25surface 132, such as for weight reduction or to provide access to walljacks. Mounting surface 132 may include additional voids configured toreduce weight, reduce cost, or enhance aesthetics.

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a single wallbracket 130. In this embodiment, wall bracket 130 is configured withdual mounting rods 140 a, 104 b located a fixed distance apartcorresponding to one embodiment of a panel bracket locking hook andreceiving hook. The mounting rods 140 a, 140 b are secured to the wallbracket 130 by lanced out tabs as previously described.

A plurality of mounting grooves 138 are preferably formed through themounting surface 132 and sized and configured to allow selectiveplacement of mounting fasteners. A central void 154 may be provided toreduce weight and to allow access to wall jacks, such as for connectionsfor electrical, display signals, amplifiers, audio cables, telephoneconnections, and the like.

Wall bracket 130 may be formed of any suitable material as previouslydescribed, but in one embodiment is preferably formed of substantially asingle piece of sheet metal that has been stamped or otherwise worked toprovide a suitable profile and having the desired cutouts and voids.Lateral edges 134 are bent to be generally perpendicular to mountingsurface 132 and may optionally be welded to bent lower edge 136 toprovide increased rigidity. Mounting rods 140 a, 140 b are inserted andwelded or otherwise secured to the lateral edges 134 and flanges 142.The final assembly may optionally be deburred, sanded, painted, buffed,and/or polished.

Accordingly, the foregoing description describes a mounting bracket andmethod of manufacturing and installing that results is a solid mountingstructure manufactured economically that can be quickly installed by asingle installer while offering subsequent lateral and pivotaladjustment to result in an optimum viewing orientation.

While the foregoing description has been limited to specific preferredembodiments, it should be appreciated that variations therefrom areanticipated without departing from the full spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Thus, while the invention has been described hereinwith reference to certain preferred embodiments, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and not to limit the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, other embodiments and changes in form and detailmay be made therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, including embodiments which do notprovide all of the benefits and features set forth herein.

1. A low-profile mounting apparatus for facilitating attaching asubstantially flat television and/or computer display panel to amounting surface such as a wall, said apparatus providing (a) ease ofattachment of the display panel to the wall, (b) ease of positioning thedisplay panel into a desired vertical position, and (c) ease oflaterally shifting the display to a desired horizontal location, saidapparatus comprising: a first mounting plate securely affixed to saidmounting surface, comprising a horizontally elongated plate in surfacecontact with said mounting surface, a supporting rod generally parallelto said plate and spaced a distance therefrom, and at least one tabprojecting from said elongated plate for supporting the rod and affixingthe position of said rod relative to said plate; a second mounting platehaving a similar configuration to said first mounting plate, andsecurely affixed a distance below said first mounting plate to saidmounting surface; a first support brace affixed to said display panel,comprising a vertically elongated bracket having a plurality of holesformed therein configured to mate with corresponding holes on saiddisplay panel, and a receiver hook configured to engage with saidsupporting rod of said second plate; a second support brace affixed tosaid display panel and having a similar configuration to said firstsupport brace and spaced laterally from said first support brace; afirst hook arm having first and second ends, wherein said hook arm ispivotally attached to said first support brace at said first end, andsaid second end comprising a hook configured to engage with saidsupporting rod of said first plate; and a second hook arm having asimilar configuration to said first hook arm and pivotally attached tosaid second support brace at a first end and configured to engage withsaid supporting rod of said first plate at a second end, said hooks andsaid rods substantially facilitating the vertical mounting of saiddisplay panel to said wall whereby the installer need only initiallyposition the display panel near the desired location after which thepanel is allowed to slide downwardly until its weight is supported byengagement of said hook arms with said first mounting rod and byengagement of said receiver hooks with said second mounting rod, andsaid hooks and said rods substantially facilitating the horizontalpositioning of said display panel by enabling the respective hooks to belaterally shifted over said mounting rods to locate said display panelin the desired horizontal position.
 2. The mounting device of claim 1,further comprising a friction increasing device coupled to said firstand second hook arms and each respective support brace to maintain thepivotal degree therebetween.
 3. The mounting device of claim 1, furthercomprising a lock apparatus to lock said first and second hook arms ontosaid supporting rod of said first plate.
 4. The mounting device of claim3, wherein at least one of said first and second hook arms have athreaded hole formed therein and said lock comprises a threaded knobconfigured to fit within said threaded hole thereby interfering withsubsequent detachment of said hook arm from said supporting rod of saidfirst plate.
 5. A mounting device for attaching a generally flattelevision or computer display panel to a wall said mounting devicecomprising: a first supporting rod adapted to be horizontally affixed tothe wall in the desired vertical and horizontal space to be occupied bya panel display; a second supporting rod adapted to horizontally affixto the wall below said first rod and within space to be occupied by saidpanel display, a pair of upper hooks and a pair of lower hooksconfigured to be attached to said panel display, wherein each of saidpair of upper hooks and lower hooks are configured to engage one of saidfirst supporting rod and second supporting rod and are furtherconfigured, when in an engaged position, to allow said panel display topivot about an axis of the second supporting rod.
 6. A low-profilemounting apparatus for facilitating attaching a substantially flattelevision and/or computer display panel to a wall, said apparatusproviding (a) ease of attachment of the display panel to the wall, (b)ease of positioning in the display panel into a desired verticalposition and (c) ease of laterally shifting said display panel to thedesired horizontal location, said apparatus comprising: a first mountingrod adapted to be securely affixed to said wall with the longitudinalaxis of said first rod lying in a substantially horizontal plane; asecond mounting rod adapted to be securely affixed to said wall belowsaid first mounting rod with the longitudinal axis of said second rodlying in a substantially horizontal plane; a first hook adapted forattachment to said display panel; a second hook adapted for attachmentto said display panel; said hooks and said rods substantiallyfacilitating the vertical mounting of said display panel to said wallwhereby the installer need only initially position the display panelnear the desired location after which the panel is allowed to slidedownwardly until its weight is supported by engagement of said firsthook with said first mounting rod and by engagement of said second hookwith said first mounting rod; and wherein said hooks and said rodssubstantially facilitate the horizontal positioning of said displaypanel by enabling the respective hooks to be laterally shifted over saidmounting rods to locate said display panel in the desired horizontalposition.
 7. A low-profile mounting apparatus for facilitating attachinga substantially flat television and/or computer display panel to a wall,said apparatus providing ease of laterally shifting said display panelto the desired horizontal location, said apparatus comprising: a firstmounting member adapted to be securely affixed to said wall with thelongitudinal axis of said first member lying in a substantiallyhorizontal plane; a second mounting member adapted to be securelyaffixed to said wall below said first mounting member with thelongitudinal axis of said second mounting member lying in asubstantially horizontal plane; a first support member adapted forattachment to said display panel; a second support member adapted forattachment to said display panel; and wherein said support members andsaid mounting members substantially facilitate the horizontalpositioning of said display panel by enabling the respective supportmembers to be laterally shifted over said mounting members to locatedsaid display panel in the desired horizontal position.
 8. An apparatusfor mounting a generally planar display device comprising: a mountingplate securely attachable to a support surface; a mounting arm adaptedto support the display device comprising a support frame configured tosecurely mount to said display device; wherein said mounting armincludes an engaging portion that releasably engages a receiving portionon said mounting plate such that the mounting arm is selectivelypositionable in a lateral direction with respect to said mounting platewhile engaged with said mounting plate.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,further comprising a second mounting plate adapted to securely mount toa support surface generally disposed below said first mounting plate.10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a second mounting armadapted to support said display device, said second mounting armcomprising a support frame configured to securely mount to said displaydevice, and an engaging portion configured to engage a receiving portionof said mounting plate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein saidmounting arm is selectively pivotal about a horizontal axis.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein said mounting plate receiving portion is aslot formed along said mounting plate and said mounting arm engagingportion is configured to track within said slot. 13.-34. (canceled)